Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride

~

my mom's calm face as she stood with her arms crosse

façade, but I could sense the

rom cracking. "Someone just offered me a better job opportunity, the best I've seen in the last... wha

air. "You should have said a big, fat no," she spat out, her

ng beneath the surface. "No, Mom, we're not fine," I retorted, the words tumbling out. "Look around

ruggling, it's not your place to decide this. There's no way you're going that far just

, Mom, I honestly don't understand what you're saying," I replied, meeting her gaze. "In fact, I'm s

oice low but firm. "I just don't like the idea of you and y

y bewildered. "I'm not takin

e reason," s

, Mo

cision, and it's final. It's late; you should go to bed." Her back was

etreating figure,

of her stub-bornness. How could

like it meant nothing? "No, Mother, I'm not dropping this,"

eyes blazing. "Wha

, one that could change everything. Lisa and Lora could go to better schools, Dad could get the treatment he needs, and you wouldn't have to break your

keeping her from breaking. "Just because you got an offer, that's supposed to make everything okay? You're talking about moving ha

se she didn't get it the first time, the chipped paint on the walls, the creaking floorboards that groaned beneath our every step. "What exactly are we ma

ing into something more-desperation. I swallowed hard, feeling my eyes burn as I fought back the tears. "Do you know how much I've gi

nds. "My chance to finally do something meaningful, something that could help us climb out of this hole! Why ca

tubborn, and unyielding. She didn't move, didn't s

ould she even see what thi

violent. "But all I see is a desperate young woman who just

d unclenched my fists. "Are yo

her voice sharp and cutting

! I've listened to you, and followed your rules, even when every part of me screamed not to. And now-now that I need you to hear me for o

ith anger. "I'm your mother, and I know what's best for you. And it's no

e lump in my throat. "Fine? You think I'm fine?" I said, voice barely holding back a sob. "T

ocking. "Since when? If you really had a dream, you wouldn't have given up your s

e you saying that supporting my younger si

ot what I-" s

u're saying anymore, do you? You're so scared of change that you'd rather keep

one who's sacrificed?" she hissed, her voice shaking with barely controlled an

y, It's not your job, nor your siblings. It

t to sit here on this farm, watching my life passing by while my friends are out there living? While I riot here, watching everything, watching our family fade away,

saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes. But then her face hard

voice low, bitter. "B

her voice rising in warning. "You're being completely

eyes. "Well, I'm sorry, mother, but we're way past that. And for your

ing like it ripped something out of me. I hated disrespec

think me stepping down so my siblings could have a better chance is a waste of time, then I'm sorry. But I don't regret it,

there but now turned to somethin

and Dad don't have to break your backs for this farm anymore. That's why in

heel and stormed towards my room. But her voi

ay from me, Mary? I'm n

gh gritted teeth. "And you should be grateful. Because you and Dad raised me well, or else

waiting for her reply again, I walked

w was soaked through-honestly, it could've been mistaken for a sponge at this point.

theart?" Dad's voice floated in, cautious

come on. You're not planning to make a s

wer them. I couldn't move. I just stayed curled up under

to start. Oh great, here we go a

like it was saying, "Okay, th